Anticipation Quote by Junichiro Tanizaki
“With lacquerware there is an extra beauty in that moment between removing the lid and lifting the bowl to the mouth, when one gazes at the still, silent liquid in the dark depths of the bowl, its colour hardly differing from that of the bowl itself. What lies within the darkness one cannot distinguish, but the palm senses the gentle movements of the liquid, vapour rises from within, forming droplets on the rim, and the fragrance carried upon the vapour brings a delicate anticipation ... a moment of mystery, it might almost be called, a moment of trance.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Mysterious Bowl”, 1935
The act of drinking from a lacquered bowl becomes a sensory, almost trance‑like experience, highlighting mystery and anticipation.
In simple terms: A simple act can feel magical and mysterious.
Key Takeaway
Savor moments and notice subtle details.
Themes
sensory
mindfulness
beauty
Mood
contemplative
serene
Type
literary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- tea ceremony
- fine dining
- artistic performance
Key Concepts
aesthetic appreciation
transcendence
ritual
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you find depth in everyday actions?
- What senses do you engage most?
A Different Perspective
Over‑romanticizing may overlook practical aspects.
![“[It is hard to know what is good luck and what isn't and therefore whether we should be happy or sad about it. Only time will tell. For example...] The Talmud relates a story about two people who wanted to travel by boat. One broke his foot and was unable to make the trip, while his friend got on…” quote by Zelig Pliskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/68d/zelig-pliskin-22951_anticipation_it-is-hard-to-know-what-is-good-luck-and_34545.jpg)
![“The only thing is that ordinarily when I do dance with [women] they think I am suddenly going to throw them over a table or twist them all around. All I want to do is one-two, one-two-three - a simple fox trot. But they're shaking with anticipation at the thought that I'm about to whip them around…” quote by Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/073/gene-kelly-11878_anticipation_the-only-thing-is-that-ordinarily-when-i_44100.jpg)
